Pipz Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Hi all, My school is considering implementing the above - just for trips for now - possibly for cashless catering in the future, currently the contenders are: Parentpay (used throughout the borough) Parentmail Schoolcomms (currently used for comms purposes) I've had a read around and gleaned some useful information about the platforms, I just wanted to create my own thread for people to post up any comments/experiences they've had. Thanks in advance
sonofsanta Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 We did the same thing as you - trips, then cashless catering - and looked at (IIRC) ParentPay, Tucasi and WisePay. At the time Tucasi was quite old-fashioned - data was synced manually through a batch job, and it used a clunky old Windows application for administration. I believe it's been updated since but can't comment. ParentPay looked good, all online unlike Tucasi so always working with live data, but around the time there were threads on here complaining about how flaky the service was in September and how hard support were to get hold of which made us wary. WisePay were the best looking of the lot (the product, not the sales rep) and the most knowledgeable; it always bodes well when a sales person can answer your question then and there. Even without the worrying threads about ParentPay, WisePay came across as a more competent, capable, professional product. We've been with WisePay now for (I think) 3 years; initially trips only, later the admin back end as well, and for a year and a half tied into our Nationwise cashless catering system. Our finance people swear by it, it's never given me any grief and support have always been superb - quick, helpful, flexible and willing to work with us instead of just telling us "that's the way it is". Thoroughly recommended and well worth talking to. 1
Pipz Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks very much, I'll have a look at WisePay. I'd be eager to hear from anyone who uses Schoolcomms as out of the three mentioned above that would seem to be the easiest to integrate.
matt40k Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Son's school uses schoolcomms - from a parents point of view it's pretty good - just a shame they don't do a Windows Phone app (cough, cough @Schoolcomms)
matt40k Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 No one does windows phone apps I could point out that there are over 300,000 apps in the app store, but we both know most of them are either those demo projects or ones Microsoft has paid devs to make (like Twitter, Facebook etc). 1
Theblacksheep Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 No one does windows phone apps no one has windows phones
sparkeh Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 We use @Schoolcomms and are now completely cashless. The only issues we have with it are... how can I put it... user errors. Apart from that its been flawless. 1
matt40k Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 no one has windows phones You'll be surprised. Growing number of people who want a phone that actually gets security updates, but don't have to pay the Apple tax. #OffTopic 1
Schoolcomms Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Hi Pipz If you contact us I expect we can find you a school nearby that you can talk to about it. And of course you can just try it for free for a month to check it works for you and that your parents like it - it takes literally a couple of minutes to switch it on, and we'll walk through it all with you and help you set up your first trips. If you already have parents using the app for the free app messages then they will be able to pay through the app as well. And it gives an added incentive for parents to download the app so you will probably reduce your SMS bill without even trying. 1
truebluesteve Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 We did the same thing as you - trips, then cashless catering - and looked at (IIRC) ParentPay, Tucasi and WisePay. At the time Tucasi was quite old-fashioned - data was synced manually through a batch job, and it used a clunky old Windows application for administration. I believe it's been updated since but can't comment. ParentPay looked good, all online unlike Tucasi so always working with live data, but around the time there were threads on here complaining about how flaky the service was in September and how hard support were to get hold of which made us wary. WisePay were the best looking of the lot (the product, not the sales rep) and the most knowledgeable; it always bodes well when a sales person can answer your question then and there. Even without the worrying threads about ParentPay, WisePay came across as a more competent, capable, professional product. We've been with WisePay now for (I think) 3 years; initially trips only, later the admin back end as well, and for a year and a half tied into our Nationwise cashless catering system. Our finance people swear by it, it's never given me any grief and support have always been superb - quick, helpful, flexible and willing to work with us instead of just telling us "that's the way it is". Thoroughly recommended and well worth talking to. Just as a matter of interest do you know how much WisePay costs as I am quite interested but don't want to get into a lengthy sales conversation with them if its going to be prohibitively expensive!
Simcfc73 Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 We had the same 3 in about 6 months ago and went with ParentPay. Piece of cake and the cheapest.
localzuk Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 We use ParentMail here. It works well, and their back-end guys know what they're doing (I had to write my own integration tool for it to work with my cashless system). My main gripes are: 1) Their frontline support people are often overwhelmed with support calls, meaning it can take ages to get a response and 2) They are very inflexible - suggesting changes is pointless, as they will basically ignore them. 3) Their reporting options are incredibly limited! Other than those gripes, the system mostly works well.
sonofsanta Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Just as a matter of interest do you know how much WisePay costs as I am quite interested but don't want to get into a lengthy sales conversation with them if its going to be prohibitively expensive! Afraid not - although I was involved in the discussions, it was the Bursar's project, so she had all the emails/documentation. It was comparable, though, from what I recall.
truebluesteve Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Afraid not - although I was involved in the discussions, it was the Bursar's project, so she had all the emails/documentation. It was comparable, though, from what I recall. No worries. I will give them a call and see what they say. We are using Schools Cash Office and while the support is good and people very friendly, it is looking very clunky and dated now.
Edu-IT Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 No worries. I will give them a call and see what they say. We are using Schools Cash Office and while the support is good and people very friendly, it is looking very clunky and dated now. An updated cloud version is coming... 1
truebluesteve Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 An updated cloud version is coming... They have been saying this for a long time so I won't hold my breath! Possibly the most frustrating part is the overnight sync that so many changes require - I have no idea why they can't be live straight away.
Edu-IT Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 They have been saying this for a long time so I won't hold my breath! Possibly the most frustrating part is the overnight sync that so many changes require - I have no idea why they can't be live straight away. Very true. Such as adding a user and having to wait 24 hours for the link code.
barbwall Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 They do have a cloud version now, if you contact them they should switch you over
Edu-IT Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 They do have a cloud version now, if you contact them they should switch you over It doesn't support the cashless catering link yet, as I understand it? Are you using the cloud version? Is it similar to desktop edition?
barbwall Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 They are piloting thecashless as we speak so you should be able to swap over soon. The cloud version is great, everything is done in real time, much better.
Edu-IT Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 Do you work for them or are you on the pilot? Does the web version offer the same functionality as the desktop?
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